The walking trail in Waterfront Park along the Willamette River has been popular since the park was opened in 1978, replacing Harbor Way and former industrial sites. A major milestone in the freeway removal movement, it is now primarily used by those taking a stroll, jogging, biking, or riding scooters. Beautiful in every season and in all types of weather, it becomes an absolute must with spring arriving to witness pastel-pink cherry trees bursting into bloom. In October 2012, the American Planning Association voted it as one of America's ten greatest public spaces.

Broad, grassy, and well-kept, the 30-acre park affords fine ground-level views of Downtown Portland's bridges and skyline, with benches everywhere to take advantage. It is also the site for various events and annual celebrations, among them the Rose Festival, classical/blues concerts, Cinco de Mayo, Gay Pride, and the Oregon Brewers Festival. The arching water jets at the Salmon Street Fountain change pattern every few hours, and are a favorite summer cooling-off spot (bring spare clothes!). The fountain's three cycles are called "misters", "bollards", and "wedding cake".

The Burnside Bridge is a 1926-built bascule bridge that spans the Willamette River in Portland. It is one of the heaviest in the United States and the only of all four bridges in Portland built with an architect's input. The Italian Renaissance style towers are part from the City Beautiful Movement that began in early 20th century. It's situated on one of the busiest streets in Portland and offers a great panorama of the city.

The bridge provides shelter for the initially unauthorized Burnside Skatepark under the east end. On weekends, the Portland Saturday Market was held mostly under the bridge's west end for many years. The market was reoriented in 2009, but the Burnside Bridge continues to provide shelter for a few vendor stalls at the market's northern end. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in November 2012.

Open 24/7, Voodoo Doughnut is a classic Old Town doughnut shop known for its eclectic decor, pink-neon sign, and imaginative flavors that are well worth trying, especially for the more adventurous. The company maintains two shops in Portland, and clearly they are a must-do experience for visitors, because donuts are a 'big thing' in the city.

The good varieties are glazed and/or chocolate or maple-frosted (sometimes with added bacon if you happen to skip lunch). They may be filled with cream or decorated with sprinkles, Captain Crunch, or tiny chunks of Oreo cookies, too. Some of the quirkier and hilarious ones may not be the most tasty, but all of the creations here bring smiles to the faces of customers, and there is a glass-enclosed display case to look at and pick out what you would like.

After making your selections (note that they only accept cash), cross the street for a great cup of coffee and take your picture in front of the 'Keep Portland Weird' sign. Don't leave Portland without some Voodoo!

Serving as the official entrance to Portland's Old Town Chinatown neighborhood, this 38-ft (12 m) tall "paifang" made of bronze, marble, granite, wood, tile, and steel features eye-catching depictions of 78 dragons and 58 mythical characters. As tradition requires, one bronze lion is male and the other is female (representing yin and yang), while the Chinese letters on the front and back read "Portland Chinatown" and "Four Seas, One Family", respectively.

The gate was proposed by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in 1984, who've designated Taiwanese architects and artists to complete its design before having it shipped to Portland and presented to the City of Portland as "gesture of goodwill from the Chinese community". The gate cost $256,000 and was the largest of its kind in the United States until one in Washington, D.C. was completed several months later.

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Among other main attractions in Old Town Chinatown are the Lan Su Chinese Garden, the Portland Saturday Market; the Shanghai tunnels, where people used to be kidnapped, smuggled, and sold as slaves; the Skidmore Fountain and the very famous Voodoo Doughnut. If you are in the mood for dancing, here you will find some of the city's best night clubs also.

Although it is called a market, this building on the corner of Pine Street and 2nd Avenue features many well-known Portland-only eateries in a very 'food-court', picnic-style atmosphere. Whatever you choose here, it's going to be pretty good, allowing to explore some of the many things that Portland has to offer – from old favorites to ones never tried before, all in one setting. It's a very clean and nice space, great for lunch break or a casual dinner. Could be very convenient for a date, but the variety of food choices also makes it a go-to place for groups with folks who might want different things.

For cuisines, the food hall has a little bit of everything: smokey Korean BBQ, rotisserie chicken, ramen, soft-serve, burgers and pizza – you name it. Vegetarian? Check out the Veggie Reggie: vegan sausage patty, tofu bacon and cheese (ask for none of the latter if you are vegan). Once you've ordered from an eatery, expect to be given a beeper of when the food is ready to be picked up. Some of the eateries have their own seating/counter space, but much of it is communal seating.

Salt & Straw is an ice cream company based in Portland, Oregon. The company was launched in 2011 by cousins Kim Malek and Tyler Malek. Salt & Straw began as a food cart on Alberta Street, Portland, Oregon and three months later the company opened its first brick-and-mortar location. Since opening in 2011, Salt & Straw has opened three other locations in Portland and offers a home delivery service throughout the US. In order to ship ice cream nationwide delivery, the company packs its ice cream in dry ice and kraft paper. Salt & Straw has locations in Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Seattle. Salt & Straw is partially owned by film star and wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Since opening, Salt & Straw has gained national media attention for its exotic ice cream flavors, some of which are seasonal. Standout flavors, such as Bone Marrow with Bourbon Smoked Cherries and Arbequina Olive Oil, have served as some of the main reasons Salt and Straw has been included on lists of America's best ice cream. Flavors offered at the ice cream shop vary depending on the seasons and ingredient availability, as all main ingredients are locally sourced.